Our Family

Farming in the Napa Valley Since 1954

The Ilsley family has been farming in Stags Leap District and Yountville AVA’s since the 1950s.

Owners, partners, brothers Ernie and David Ilsley were raised in the heart of Napa Valley. Assisting their father and grandfather in tending their family’s and their neighbors’ vineyards throughout the Stag’s Leap District and Yountville AVA’s has helped to forged deep ties and partnerships that continue to this day.

As the third generation of a Napa Valley farming family, this duo has contributed to and influenced some of the region’s most sought-after estates. Full of pride for their past and passion for their future, Ernie and David assist premier clients in navigating the challenges of each vineyard season through proven methods and site-specific farming practices. 

Ernie Ilsley is a rootstock and clone specialist with vast experience and expertise within the wine industry. Formerly the Director of Sales and Management for NovaVine, he now directs operations for Ilsley Vineyard Management which specializes in private, personalized farming plans for premier estates in the Napa Valley. 

David Ilsley has spent his fruitful career directing the operations at Shafer Vineyards in the heart of the Stags Leap District. His responsibilities begin at the soil and end in the glass. His understanding of equipment, estate, and vineyard planning is endless, while his practical nature lends perfectly to directing viticulture for Ilsley Vineyard Management. 

For the Ilsley’s, farming is not just their business, it is their passion. They are forever committed to shaping the wine industry, through imperial data of their design. Six decades of cultivating vineyards have given them the opportunity to do endless trials, testing quality both in the vineyard and in the winery. They have spent their lifetime getting to know grapevines and Napa Valley vineyards because of this, they have learned so much about site selection, row orientation, trellis systems, clones, soil analysis, and rootstocks . It’s this level of commitment and expertise that they bring to your vineyard and your site.